Bob Berney passed away Oct. 4, 2003, with his family at his side, at the University of Washington Medical Center due to complications from leukemia. Bob was born Feb. 21, 1944, in Wolbach, Neb., to Leland and Doris (Borre) Berney. The family soon moved to San Gabriel, Calif., where Bob grew up. He graduated from San Gabriel High School. He attended Pasadena City College and earned an associate of arts degree with an emphasis in business administration; at the same time he worked as an engineer for Pacific Telephone and Telegraph.

Bob served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserve in 1964. In 1968 Bob married Avis Bailey, his wife for 35 years. In 1970 he changed vocations and was hired by the city of Costa Mesa as a firefighter while earning an associate of science in fire science at Mount San Antonio College. Four years later he was promoted to captain in the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

He and his wife welcomed a son, Darryl, to the family while they lived in Irvine, Calif. From there the family moved to Corvallis where Bob was a fire inspector for the city of Corvallis. Daughter, Kristen arrived in 1976 during the family’s stay in Corvallis. Bob moved the family to Bend, Ore., in 1977 where he became a deputy state fire marshal for the Oregon State Police. Bob and Avis moved to Oak Harbor in 1996 where he most recently was a deputy state fire marshal for Washington State Patrol. Throughout his life Bob never stopped learning and at the age of 55 went back to college and graduated magna cum laude from Chapman University with a degree in sociology. During his years of employment, Bob held a number of offices in the Tri-Counties Plant Engineers’ Club. He served on the Community Services Commission for the city of Irvine, was a member of the Oregon State Fire Marshals’ Association and the Central Oregon Firefighters Association. Most recently he belonged to the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals, the Region 3 Life Safety Council, the Region 3 Training Council and the Region 3 Fire Investigation Council. Throughout his life, Bob’s family was his primary focus. He was a tower of strength for his family and friends. He enjoyed attending his children’s activities and sporting events throughout their lives and into their college years. He enjoyed sports and hobbies including boating, skiing, golfing, fishing, white water rafting, and flying. He was passionate about car racing of all kinds and was an avid reader. Bob is survived by his loving wife Avis, son Darryl, daughter Kristen, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Russ and Jeannette Bailey, nephew and wife Michael and Teri Bailey and son Dustin; nephew and wife Craig and Christina Bailey, several cousins, aunts, uncles and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and brother. Bob approached life with much enjoyment, humor and compassion for others. He had a strong faith in a larger plan and faced his illness with extraordinary strength and courage. His family and friends will miss his sense of humor, loving concern, and wise counsel. Services of remembrance were held Oct. 10 at Whidbey Presbyterian Church, with Rev. David Templin officiating. Private family graveside services proceeded at Maple Leaf Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Contributions, J5-200, P. O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.